Mazda Classic A Major Coup For Stonebridge:

March 30, 1985|By Glenn Hoffer, Real Estate Editor

Stonebridge Golf and Country Club in Boca Raton has, this week, achieved a major accomplishment by landing the prestigious Mazda Classic tournament.

The Classic became one of the most successful tournaments of the LPGA tour during its six years at the Deer Creek Country Club. As the season opener, the Classic consistently drew the top names in women`s golf which drew the top crowds.

With all this success, why move the tournament? According to Craig Perna, president of the Classic Sports Foundation, the non-profit organization behind the tournament, there are two major reasons for moving to Stonebridge. First is the opportunity to complete the triangle of pro golf tournaments in Palm Beach County. Currently, there is a PGA tournament at Boca West and a Senior Pro tournament at Boca Grove Plantation. Moving the Mazda Classic to Stonebridge completes the golf triangle.

The second motivating factor, Perna notes, is the impressive company Stonebridge will keep in Palm Beach county.

Set in the heart of the hottest country club location in the tri-county area, Stonebridge joins Bocaire, Boca West, St. Andrews, Boca Pointe and Boca Grove Plantation in offering an elegant, high-class golfing lifestyle.

This concentration of superior country club communities cannot be matched anywhere.

And finally, Stonebridge offers golf professionals a course designed specifically for tournament play. The results offer better crowd control and smoother play.

But why Stonebridge? What does it offer golfers and their fans and families?

Dick Jerman, project manager for Stonebridge, says simply "start with 400 acres of prime land along with 20 sculptured lakes and mix in the skills of Karl Litten, one of the finest golf course architects in South Florida. Then blend with a delicious Urban Design Studio residential site plan featuring prominent water and fairway views. While this is simmering, stir in a dollop of class with an elegantly understated clubhouse designed by the award winning firm of Schwab & Twitty. Add 350 custom-designed single-family homes and 49 estate-style villas, set in an exclusive enclave, all designed and built by nine of South Florida`s most talented builders.``

That is Stonebridge. And, so far, buyer response to the community has been phenomenal.

According to the on-site development and management team, the first week of sales generated more than $3 million worth of home sales -- certainly an impressive figure.

The avid golfer will be in heaven at Stonebridge. In addition to the tournament-calibre golf course, the golf pavilion adjacent to the clubhouse will house a complete pro shop, an outdoor cafe, cart and bag storage areas as well as computer terminals to help keep game tallys.

The families of golfers have been carefully considered as well. An exciting range of amenities include lighted clay tennis courts, an oversized heated pool with lap areas and a sundeck, saunas, a cocktail lounge and a gourmet restaurant. The waterfront clubhouse will set the tone for the community with strong, clean architectural lines and picture windows overlooking the ninth and eighteenth holes. Inside, mauves and greys will set the atmosphere for casual elegance.

Each of the 350 single-family homes will take advantage of the generously designed site plan, incorporating a lake and/ or golf course view in every backyard.

Special design touches include spacious, airy floor plans that flow naturally with the surrounding environment. Each villa offers bright 180 degree views in the kitchen and a split bedroom design that assures complete privacy for guests.

Home prices start at $275,000 for the single-family homes and at $198,000 for the villas.

Since Stonebridge is so new, most people probably wonder just where the new home of the Mazda Classic is at. Actually, it`s on U.S. 441 north of Glades Road, in the booming western environs of Boca Raton.